Varroa - still a problem in the 21st century? (From Smallholder)

Varroa - still a problem in the 21st century?

5:20pm Wednesday 20th April 2011 in Bees and Honey

On Saturday (16th April 2011) the International Bee Research Association launched an important new book on the major problem affecting bees worldwide, the parasitic mite Varroa destructor at the British Beekeepers Association Spring Convention.

One of the book’s authors, Professor Keith Delaplane of the University of Georgia, USA, was a key speaker at the convention. He said: “it is simply non controversial among the world’s practicing bee scientists that Varroa destructor is problem #1”. In recent years, the world’s headlines have been full of stories of mass deaths of honey bee colonies, but scientific consensus suggests that there is no single cause, and that different interacting factors may be occurring in different regions. It is inescapable, however, that varroa is present in all regions where recent colony losses have occurred, and the mite is known to interact with other pests and diseases, principally viruses. Varroa is, however, not a new problem. It was first identified as a serious pest more than half a century ago, and chemical and other control methods have been available for decades. It remains a problem because conventional approaches to control have failed, with the mite becoming resistant to many of the chemicals used. Other problems affecting bees have diverted attention away from the search for more effective methods for control of varroa.

In this new book, a team of international scientists addresses all aspects of the varroa problem, with chapters on: mite biology; varroa and viruses; chemical control; Integrated Pest Management; biological control and breeding bees for varroa tolerance. The final chapter looks forward at prospects for improved control and innovative ways to tackle the problem.

IBRA Scientific Director Norman Carreck says: “This book brings together current knowledge of how the global varroa crisis can be tackled”.